Ed Act Update - the Education (Update) Amendment Act 2017

The Education (Update) Amendment Act 2017 (the Act) came into effect on 19 May 2017.

The Act is the most comprehensive update of New Zealand’s education legislation in almost 30 years. The Act's changes will take effect gradually between 19 May 2017 and January 2020 - see the quick guide for more information.

About these pages

If you are a teacher, a board member, a principal, an early childhood service, a school, ngā kohanga reo or kura kaupapa leader, a parent, a student, or a family or whānau member, or are simply interested in education, then these pages are for you.

Here, you’ll find out all you need to know about:

What the Act is designed to do

How the Act works (its main provisions)

When the Act’s various provisions become law

How we will be supporting you with the implementation of the Act’s various provisions

Your rights as a parent, family or whānau member under the Act

How you can help build the future education system for all our children and young people by taking part in the consultations and discussions scheduled on some of the Act’s provisions.

How the new Education Update Act 2017 fits together

Overview of the new Act

The new Act introduces changes to put the progress and achievement of children and young people at the heart of the education system.

The Act does this by setting clear objectives for the early childhood and compulsory education system, and through a new stand alone document called the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities, or NELP, through which the Government of the day will set its education priorities. Both the NELP, and how schools should plan and report to their parents and communities, will be subject to consultation in the very near future, before being finalised.

To help ensure that Communities of Learning| Kāhui Ako and schools are delivering a great education for New Zealand’s children and young people, the Act introduces a range of ways that the Ministry of Education can give quicker support to schools to help get them back on track.

The Act also gives more education choice to students and parents, enhances the options for collaboration between education providers, and modernises our education system to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Collaboration through Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako may lead to schools deciding to share governance through a combined board. The Minister must consult to ensure a combined board represents the community.

Creating a refocused careers service within the Tertiary Education Commission

To make pathways into further study and work clearer for students; to strengthen connections between education and employers; and to reduce fragmentation and duplication of effort and information across government agencies.